Insurance Terms Defined – Statutory Accident Benefits
Statutory Accident Benefits must be a part of any car insurance coverage in our province. While we touched on this in our post about what is mandatory for drivers in Ontario, we thought it would be helpful to go into Statutory Accident Benefits in a little more depth. So let’s get into it…
Definition of Statutory Accident Benefits
This coverage provides you with benefits in the event that you are injured in a car accident. This coverage comes into play regardless of who caused the accident, which is why it is sometimes referred to as no-fault benefits. Benefits include income replacement benefits if you can’t work after the accident, supplementary medical, rehabilitation and attendant care, and caregiver benefits if you are unable to care for dependents due to the incident. Essentially, you get compensation for expenses related to your care, treatment and any lost income in the aftermath of the accident and during your recovery.
Other important things to know about Statutory Accident Benefits
– As we mentioned in the lead up to this post, these benefits are mandatory in our province. They are part of the Insurance Act of Ontario. These benefits form part of the no-fault car insurance system we have in Ontario (you can learn more about that here).
– These benefits apply to any accident that takes place on the road, including cars of course but also pedestrians, motorcycles and any motor vehicle.
– While Statutory Accident Benefits are a mandatory coverage, individuals can choose to go beyond the basic coverage mandated and opt to increase these coverages. You can discuss these options further with your insurance provider (or reach out to our team to learn more).
– You do not automatically receive all the possible benefits, nor are the benefits offered in a blanket fashion. Each specific incident is evaluated and benefits are granted based on the extent of the injury and the specific situation of the individual as related to job and/or dependents.
If you’d like more information on Statutory Accident Benefits Coverage, check out these helpful resources:
– The Financial Services Commission of Ontario
– The Safety, Licensing Appeals and Standards Tribunals Ontario (SLASTO)
– Ottawa Personal Injury Lawyer Network
If you’d like to discuss Statutory Accident Benefits further with our team or would like more information about your specific situation or car insurance in Ontario in general, get in touch with us today. One of our insurance professionals will be happy to assist you.
Have some other insurance jargon on your radar that you’d like clarified? Check out our blog posts defining common terms and peruse our full glossary of insurance terms here.
We have provided the definitions in this blog post for general information purposes only. They are not meant to be complete descriptions to cover any and all terms, conditions and exclusions that are found in different insurance policies. If there is any inconsistency between this information and the definitions in your policy, it is your policy that governs. Contact your insurance broker if you have any questions or need any clarification about your particular policy and the definitions therein.
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